Can the COVID-19 coronavirus get into my water?
COVID-19 is transmitted person-to-person, not through water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. LADWP wants to reassure our customers, the water at their tap continues to be of the highest quality and is 100-percent safe to drink. The novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, does not present a threat to LADWP’s drinking water supply. LADWP’s drinking water supply undergoes proven scientific techniques and treatments before they reach our customers’ tap. Our water is treated with Ozone, filtration, UV and chlorination–processes designed to protect the public from all viruses, pathogens and harmful bacteria. The use of LADWP water in handwashing is safe as an effective means of removing germs, in combination with the use of soap and proper handwashing measures.
LADWP will continue to closely monitor the progression of COVID-19 and to communicate with other water industry professionals to ensure the continued safety of our treated water supply. For more information on COVID-19, visit CDC’s website or LA County’s Department of Public Health’s website.
Can LADWP continue treating and delivering water if COVID-19 spreads?
LADWP maintains an extensive system of tanks and reservoirs, pump stations and pipelines to deliver a safe and reliable water supply to our 4 million customers throughout the City of Los Angeles. This system includes multiple layers of redundancy to ensure continued deliveries, even during a disruption.
As the situation around the new coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, LADWP has taken action to prioritize the health and safety of our customers and our more than 10,000-member workforce as the Department continues the critical function of providing the City with water and power. LADWP is carefully following guidelines set in place by public health officials to ensure that employees who are sick with any type of illness are not in the workplace; that we maintain social distancing; and that we maintain the highest level of hygiene in our work environment.
Isn’t stockpiling bottled water part of emergency preparedness?
General emergency preparedness encourages a two-week supply of bottled water in the event of a supply disruption. While other emergencies may necessitate backup water sources, water supplies are not a concern in this particular situation.
Where can I learn more about COVID-19 and water?
EPA: “Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual.” https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-drinking-water-and-wastewater
CDC: “The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html
